Seven minutes passed and then a silver Kia pulled up and opened the passenger door. The boy got in the car.

The car exited at 84th Street. A short time later, Wauwatosa police were called to the firehouse located on Underwood Avenue.

“Firefighters there reported that an 11-year-old juvenile was dropped off by a citizen, and that juvenile had been picked up while walking on the freeway,” Wauwatosa police Lt. Brian Zalewski said.

The good Samaritan didn't leave a name, but the boy answered questions from police.

“The officers that talked to the juvenile determined that he was a walk away from St. Charles Youth Family and Services program,” Zalewski said.

St. Charles is located on South 84th street, just off of I-94.

The website says it provides 24-hour care for children, 11 to 17 years old who are in need of a safe and secure environment awaiting placement in the juvenile justice system.

According to police, the boy was somehow able to walk out.

“Obviously, it's not safe for any pedestrian to be on a freeway setting, so the citizen did the right thing, took him to a safe location, and we were able to return him to where he's alright now,” Zalewski said.

A representative of the school said the boy was being transferred to a Milwaukee public school when he took off.

St. Charles Youth and Family Services President Cathy Connolly issued a statement to WISN 12 News late Tuesday afternoon, saying “The safety of the children in our care is always our first priority. We are thankful for the motorist who stopped and picked up the child and grateful that he was returned safely to our care.”